Economics

Noise Pollution

Definition:
Noise pollution is unwanted or excessive
sound that can have deleterious effects on
human health and environmental quality.
Noise pollution is commonly generated by
many factories. It also comes from highway,
railway and airplane traffic and from outdoor construction activities.
– Jerry A. Nathanson and
Richard E. Berg, 2018

Types of Noise Pollution:
i. Atmospheric Noise: Atmospheric noise or static is caused by lighting discharges in thunderstorms and other natural electrical disturbances occurring in the atmosphere.
ii. Industrial Noise: Industrial noise refers to noise that is created in the factories. Sound becomes noise it becomes unwanted. Heavy industries like ship building, iron and steel
have long been associated with Noise
Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
iii. Man made Noise: The main sources of
man-made noise pollution are ships,aircraft, seismic exploration, marine construction, drilling and motor boats.

Causes of Noise Pollution:
i. Poor urban planning: Improper urban planning will cause more nuisances among the city travelers.
ii. Sounds from motor vehicles: Sounds
from motor vehicles can cause temporary hearing loss.
iii. Crackers: Enormous Crackers are used
during some occasions. Such activities create a very louder noise to the level of harming the public. Sometimes, they may even cause deafness to children and aged.
iv. Factory machinery: The industrial noise caused by continuous operation of mills, machines and pneumatic drills, is unbearable nuisance to the workers.

Effects of Noise Pollution:
a. Hearing Loss: Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older people are exposed to significant occupational noise and thereby reduced hearing sensitivity.
b. Damage Physiological and Psychological health: Unwanted noise can damage physiological and psychological health. For
example, annoyance and aggression, hypertension, and high stress levels.
c. Cardiovascular effects: High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular problems and exposure to bloodpressure.
d. Detrimental effect on animals and aquatic life: Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals,increasing the risk of death.
e. Effects on wildlife and aquatic animals: It creates hormone imbalance,chronic stress, panic and escape behavior and injury.

Remedial measures to control Noise
Pollution: 1. Use of noise barriers
2. Newer roadway for surface transport
3. Traffic control
4. Regulating times for heavy vehicles
5. Installations of noise barriers in the work place
6. Regulation of Loudspeakers

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